ATTENDING: Chairperson Pam Brown, Members Jan Beale, Craig Hannafin and Ginny Wright; Township Manager Allen Heist; Board liaison Zoe Perkins; Planning Commission liaison Jim Wendelgass; and audience member Peter Moscufo.

The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Minutes from the April 6, 1998 meeting were approved.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

Chairperson Brown introduced newly appointed EAC member, Jan Beale.

Zoe Perkins reported on the following Board of Supervisors recent activities:

• The Board will render their decision on May 14, 1998 at 1:00 p.m. regarding the validity challenge and curative amendment application filed by Michael and Janet Polay.
• Pursuant to the Chester County 2020 seminar, the Phoenixville Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a Regional Forum at the Phoenixville Country Club on Wednesday, June 10, 1998 from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Some of the issues include implementing the Schuylkill Valley Metro Light Rail System, synchronizing traffic lights on Route 23, improving access roads, developing trails and recreational areas, and identifying specific municipality growth needs.
• An agreement of sale has been prepared by Solicitor Greenwood and presented to the Evanses for the possible relocation of the Township Building.
• Application will be made for Round X of the Chester County Heritage Park and Open Space Municipal Grant Program for acquisition of the Evan's two acre lot in Upper Uwchlan Township, adjacent to the park.
• The West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance and West Vincent Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance final drafts were distributed. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. at the Ludwigs Corner Fire Company; subsequent hearings will be held Monday, June 15 and 29, if necessary. A notice will be sent to all Township property owners.
  

Jim Wendelgass reported the Planning Commission will hold weekly work sessions beginning May 7 to continue their review of the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances.

MAIL:

• EAC Network - information on available grants.
• Southeast PA Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program - Four 1998 locations and dates are scheduled; our local collection event is scheduled for July 11, 1998 at the Owen J. Roberts High School. Volunteers are needed at each site location for internal traffic control and to survey participants. To date, 40 municipalities are participating in the program.
• Groundwater Management Conference - Tuesday, May 12, 1998 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at The Hill School, Pottstown.
• Northern Federation Comprehensive Stormwater Management Ordinance draft is currently being reviewed by the Township Engineer.

REPORTS:

St. Stephens Greene: Monitoring reports show the day-to-day operation functioning properly. The St. Stephens Greene Community Water System Inventory, Drought Contingency Plan, and Emergency Response Plan have been completed.

Matthews Meadows: The treatment plant operator was notified the water level in the storage lagoon was exceeding the high water level; spraying has occurred.

Hidden Pond: An estimate has been received on work to correct the stormwater drainage flow at Hidden Pond.

Township Park: Bid Specifications are being revised per Solicitor Greenwood's changes. When completed, the bid specifications will be sent to the County and then advertised. Phase 1, excavation and seeding, is projected to begin in the Spring. Ginny Wright made a motion to approve and recommend an application for the Chester County Heritage Park and Open Space Municipal Grant to acquire the Evan's two acre lot in Upper Uwchlan Township, adjacent to the park; it was seconded by Craig Hannafin and carried unanimously.

Trails: The Trails Subcommittee is continuing their work on the Township Trails Map/Narrative.

PA Greenways Partnership is sponsoring a forum on Greenways and Trails in Carlisle on June 4 and 5. A resource manual entitled "Successful Strategies for Trail Development" will be ordered.

Application has been made for tax exemption status designation and incorporation of the West Vincent Land Trust Inc. Chairperson Brown and Manager Heist attended a seminar on Open Land Acquisition using Charitable Remainder Trusts; the Trusts' benefits to local government and the benefits to the landowner were discussed.

Members discussed the Hadley/Pitcher property located along French Creek Road. No building permit application or Zoning Hearing Board application has been received by the Township. EAC concerns include: the placement of the house, steep slopes and access to the property.

A question was raised regarding the status of the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust "Dirt Road Project", an effort to obtain easements or purchase properties along French Creek extending from the Sheeder Covered Bridge to Wilson's Corner, paralleling French Creek Road. In reviewing the FPCCT application, the County requested a trail easement on any parcels purchased; FPCCT is considering the County's request.

Concerns were raised regarding the Wozniak property, Mulch Man operation on Pottstown Pike. Mr. Wozniak has received a letter from the Township Zoning Officer regarding violations present on the property based on the Conditional Use Hearing decision and steps to follow for compliance.

Evans Mill Environmental, Inc. has been retained by Helen W. Parke to provide services related to the wastewater treatment facility, specifically permit approvals and resuming operation of the system. DEP has requested the Township's involvement in proper operation, maintenance and management of the sewage facility. It was noted, there are malfunctioning residential sewage systems in the Township; a memo to the Board of Supervisors requesting the Township's follow-up would be an appropriate step.

Members reviewed the Hankin Group Preliminary Plan for a by-right subdivision of the 298 acre property at Ludwigs Corner. The plan shows six office/warehouse industrial lots, 140 residential lots and 176.393 acres of open space, on-lot sewage for the industrial lots, community spray for the residential lots and public water. A second plan for the tract, using a village concept, will be submitted within a few weeks. Issues and concerns include:

Stormwater impact on the Fellowship Road wetland area - The plan shows seven

to ten above ground detention basins to serve the residential lots. With public water, the project is showing a net increase in water with the potential of increased flooding in the wetland area.

The EAC noted the proposed lagoons for the spray irrigation systems are to be built into the hillside; this location has less visual impact on the viewshed than the previous proposal.

The plan shows demolition of the two existing farmsteads (the former Bailey farmhouse is to remain); members recommend historic and agricultural preservation.

The By Pass is not noted on the plan; this is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

Traffic concerns - increased traffic on the dirt Blackhorse Road.

Suggests an internal walking trail system for the residents

Include the existing equestrian perimeter trail along the "Bailey Farm" field to Westover Lane and continue the trail along Westover Lane, south on Fellowship Lane to access the old Mill Road and Route 40l.

The Comprehensive Plan notes Westover Lane as a scenic roadway and scenic vista - the

impact of signs, lighting and accessway entrance is a concern.

It is recommended the Township Engineer review the stormwater plan for the LI district taking into consideration 317,000 sq. ft. office/warehouse area, additional impervious cover, and proximity to the creek and wetland areas.

The plan appears to be consistent with Landscapes Rural Center/Rural Landscape designation.

Matthews Run final plan has been submitted; reviews of the plan are incomplete.

The Sheeder Mill plan showing as-built revisions to the road and an additional lot to a previously approved 16 lot subdivisions was reviewed. No environmental concerns were noted.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m. The next meeting will be held Monday, June 1, 1998 at 9:30 a.m. Please call the Chairperson at 469-9858 if unable to attend.